President George M. Weah has commissioned a landmark project that will digitize the work permit system of the Ministry of Labor and put Liberia on par with other African countries.
Speaking at the occasion, held at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, Congo Town, on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, President Weah said, “Until today, Liberia is the only West African country that is still using a manual work permit system. This innovation will not only improve efficiency but will also increase revenue and provide new employment opportunities. In addition, it will enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Labor to protect and defend the rights of workers in the Republic of Liberia.”
The project is a five-year venture between the Government of Liberia (GOL), represented by the Ministry of Labor, and CETIS Graphics and Documentation Services Company of the Republic of Slovenia.
In addition to upgrading from a manual to a digital system, the project also provides for up-front delivery of over US$5 million-worth of ultra-modern electronic equipment, as well as the supply of 15 double cabin 4×4 Toyota pickups; 2 jeeps; 5 sedans; and 35 Yamaha Motorbikes.
The contract also covers supplies of fuel, maintenance, and insurance of all equipment and vehicles, as well as salaries and daily allowances for the entire five-year duration of the project.
The equipment is expected to enable the Ministry of Labor to enforce the work permit regime of the government throughout the country and enhance the capacity of the ministry to inspect and ensure the safety and other conditions of workers in the workplace, including overall compliance by employers with the labor laws, in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.
It is also expected to enable and empower the Ministry of Labor to work more efficiently and effectively simultaneously in all 15 counties of Liberia, in both the rainy and the dry seasons.
In his address, President Weah said, “This government takes very seriously the protection of workers’ rights throughout Liberia and adequate employment for our people who are qualified, competent and available to work.
“As a responsible government, we also have the duty to ensure that investors are treated fairly in their relationship with the government and with their employees. However, we will not hesitate to take stringent measures against any employer who attempts to evade the payment of government taxes or who tries to infringe upon the rights of workers.”
According to President Weah, “The Ministry of Labor has the statutory responsibility to ensure that Liberians are given priority to jobs in the private sector. We must also ensure that Liberians are given wages that are comparable to foreigners doing the same job. These policies must be adhered to without compromise. While we seek to increase revenue from greater efficiency in the work permit regime, we will not compromise the rights of our citizens to priority employment opportunities.
“We also want to see gender equity in employment, in both the public and private sectors. We will continue to seek to build our economy by increasing employment opportunities for Liberians and prioritizing capacity-building in the workplace.”
He said, “It is against this backdrop that I, as the President of the Republic of Liberia, now have the distinguished honor to officially commission this project.
“I want to congratulate the CETIS Graphics and Documentation Services, the Ministry of Labor, and the PPCC for this milestone achievement, and I hereby commit my government’s fullest support to this project.”